Evening capital., 1887-11-07

Yesterday was observed as a day of
prayer for missions by the Presbyterian
churches OF the United States.
The pastor of the Church of this city
preached on the great work that is before
the Presbyterian denomination of this
country.
For more than 200 years this denomina-
tlon has had part in the religious work
that has been done in this land. 1t has
grown steadily with the increase of popu-
lation. and has always been one of the
most influential churches in the country
The first fund for mission work was
created as early as 1717.
Is early as 1851, 1t was made obligatory
upon the churches to take up collections
for religious work among the Indians
David Brainerd was the first missionary,
and his work among the Indians though
brief, was earnest and successful.
In 1916, the Board of Domestic Mis-
sions was organized, and from that date
down to the present time, all the churches
throughout the denomination were ex
pected to make an annual collection for
its work. This Board wants $500, 900
this year.
The Presbyterian Churches of the whole
country for period of about thirty years
SOhb bhNll lOI uISSlODS
to the American Board. In 1897, the
General Assembly formed board of its
own, and its first meeting was held in the
1st Church of Baltimore. Forty-six years
ago, they called upon the churches to
raise I 100000. To-day they call upon
the churches to raise 81 600, 900.
About 1919, the Board of education
was organized. We do not admit to our
ministry, except in rare cases, men who
nave not received collegiate and theo-
logical education. But only few of
those who feel called to the work of the
ministry, have the means to put them
through the six or eight years of study
that are usually required. Hence, the
church, not unlike the government in the
ease of the navy and army, steps in to as
sist the candidate for the ministry. We
| have to-day about thousand young men
preparing for the ministry, and of those
there are 696 who are receiving aid from
the Beard of Education. About 200 from
our theological seminaries enter the min
istry every year, but we need not less than
300 every year.
We have also Board of Aid for Col.
leges, by which institutions are organized
and assisted until they have reached a
position of self support. This Board was
| the means OF assistance TO new institutions
during the past year to the extent of
| $127, 900.
Anothsr Board, to which we are called
to contribute, is the Board of Church
Erection. Many congregations are un-
able, without assistance, to put up the
houses they need for worship. With
more than 5000, 900 at their disposal dur
ing the past year, they assisted in the
erection of 100 Church edifices.
The Board of Publication provides a
suitable literature for our people, and
sent forth last year 18 900 900 publications
books and tracts.
The Board of Ministerial Relief assist
the aged ministers and those dependent
upon them. During the past year from
the funds at their disposal 220 ministers,
2S4 widows of ministers, and % families
of orphans were assisted.
| The Board of Missions for the Freed
man have the work among the colored
people of the South under their care
This Board has organized 217 churches,
12 of which were organized during the
past year 1t has 5000 children in its
schools, and 1900 members were received
into the churches during the past year
About 100 colored young men are prepar
/ ing to enter the ministry.